Top 10 Best Destroyers in the world– Know the Top Ships of Chinese, USA, Japanese, and Indian Navies in 2024

Naval military technology has changed drastically over the years. Nowadays, many navies use huge combatant ships called destroyers to damage missile boats and other vessels of the enemy. Destroyers are also used in escort roles to protect aircraft carriers against potential threats. The modern-day destroyers are equipped with advanced sensors and radars to detect enemies at a long-range. One question that buzzes in the mind of many military enthusiasts is what are the top 10 destroyers in the world.

You should note that destroyers are very expensive, not all navies in the world can afford them. Only powerful militaries have destroyers in their fleet. Some destroyers are so powerful that they can carry up to 90 missiles with them. In this post, we are going to list the 10 best destroyers in the world in 2024 based on different parameters.

The World’s 10 best Destroyers in 2024

10. Horizon Class Destroyer

• Country of Origin – France and Italy
• Manufacturer – Horizon Sas (DCN, Thales, Fincantieri, Finmeccanica – Leonardo-Finmeccanica since 2016), Leonardo since 2017
• Operator – French Navy and Italian Navy
• Displacement – 7,050 t (6,940 long tons; 7,770 short tons), full load, 5.290 t (5.206 long tons; 5.831 short tons), light displacement
• Length – 152.87 m (501 ft 7 in)
• Speed – 29 knots (54 km/h; 33 mph)
• Range – 6,100 nautical miles (11,000 km) at 18 kn (33 km/h) and 3,500 nmi (6,480 km) at 25 knots (46 km/h)
• Anti-Air Missiles – PAAMS air-defence system, Aster 15 missiles (range 1.7–30 km), Aster 30 missiles (range 3–120 km)
• Anti- Ship Missiles – 8 missiles of Exocet MM40 (France)/ TESEO Mk-2/A (Italy)

Horizon Class Destroyer is the result of the joint venture of manufacturers from France and Italy. The contract fpr the production of these destroyers was signed between France and Italy in September 2000. Earlier, UK was also a partner in this project but later it withdraws to pursue its own national design. The main highlight of these Destroyers is that they can deploy the principal Anti Air Missile System (PAAMS). Italy has replaced their obsolete Audace class destroyers with Horizon class. Similarly, France has replaced its fleet of Suffren class carrier escorts.

9. Type 052C Class Destroyer

• Country of Origin – China
• Manufacturer – Jiangnan Shipyard
• Operator – PLA Navy Surface Force
• Displacement – 7,000 tons
• Length – 155 m (508 ft 6 in)
• Speed – 29 knots (54 km/h; 33 mph)
• Range – 4,500 nautical miles (8,300 km; 5,200 mi) at 15 knots
• Anti-Air Missiles – HHQ-9
• Anti- Ship Missiles – YJ-62

The type 052C destroyer of the PLA Navy surface force is the enhanced version of type 052B destroyer. This class of destroyers has a very interesting story. The first two ships of this class were laid down at Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai in 2002. These two ships entered the navy service in 2004 and 2005 respectively. Then, no new ship was laid down till 2010 due to the relocation of the shipyard. The main features why this destroyer is on our list is its stealth. It is tough to detect this ship on the radar. Apart from this, the armament used by O52C destroyers is also very impressive.

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8. Daring Class Destroyer (Type 45)

• Country of Origin – United Kingdom
• Manufacturer – BAE Systems Maritime – Naval Ships
• Operator – Royal Navy
• Displacement – 7,350 tonnes to 8,500 tonnes (8,400 long tons; 9,400 short tons)
• Length – 152.4 m (500 ft 0 in)
• Speed – 32 kn (59 km/h; 37 mph)
• Range – 7,000 nautical miles (13,000 km) at 18 kn (33 km/h; 21 mph)
• Anti-Air Missiles – Aster 15, Aster 30
• Anti- Ship Missiles – Harpoon,

Type 45 destroyers are more commonly known as Daring class destroyers. These ships were designed for the Royal Navy who was looking to replace type 42 destroyers. Type 42 destroyers were very helpful to the Royal Navy during the Falklands War. Powered by two  GE Power Conversion Advanced Induction Motors and VDM25000 Drives, 20 MW (27,000 shp) this ship can clock the speed up to 32 kn (59 km/hr). As of 2021 data, 4 destroyers of this class are serving in the Royal Navy and 2 destroyers are under refit.

7. Kongo Class Destroyer

• Country of Origin – Japan
• Manufacturer – Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, IHI Corporation
• Operator – Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
• Displacement – 7,500 tons standard, 9,500 tons full load
• Length – 161 m (528 ft)
• Speed – 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph)
• Range – 4,500 nautical miles (8,300 km; 5,200 mi) at 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph)
• Anti-Air Missiles – SM-2MR Surface-to-air missile
• Anti- Ship Missiles – RGM-84 Harpoon Anti-ship Missile

The class of destroyer got its name after mountains in Japan, and all four ships under this class also share their names with World War II era Japanese warships. Overall, we can say this class of ships is a lot inspired by the Arleigh Burke class destroyers of the US Navy. The class has Aegis Weapon System (AWS) which is often classified as the best weapon system in the world.  In addition to this, the Kongo class destroyer can carry SH-60J/K helicopter.

6. Aikizuki Class Destroyer

• Country of Origin – Japan
• Manufacturer – Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
• Operator – Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
• Displacement – 5,000 tonnes standard, 6,800 tonnes full load
• Length – 150.5 m (493 ft 9 in)
• Speed – 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph)
• Range – 8,300 nmi (15,400 km) at 18 kn (21 mph; 33 km/h).
• Anti-Air Missiles – RIM-162 ESSM SAM
• Anti- Ship Missiles – Type 90 Anti-ship missile

The main role of Aikizuki class destroyer in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force is to escort Atago Class ships which are Aegis capable ships. Aikizuki Class destroyers are instrumental is providing a great shield against  air, surface and subsurface threats. The main features that make this class of destroyers special are advanced  C4ISR, and Anti-Aircraft Warfare (AAW) capability, with an OYQ-11 advanced Combat Direction Sub-system (CDS) and FCS-3A AAW weapon sub-system. This destroyer is one of the smallest ships on our list of the best destroyers in the world in 2023.

5. Atago Class Destroyer

• Country of Origin – Japan
• Manufacturer – Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
• Operator – Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
• Displacement – 7,700 tons standard, 10,000 tons full load
• Length – 165.0 m (541 ft 4 in)
• Speed – 30 knots (56 km/h)
• Range – 4,500 nautical miles at 20 knots (8,334 km at 37 km/h)
• Anti-Air Missiles – SM-2MR surface-to-air missiles
• Anti- Ship Missiles – Type 90 (SSM-1B) anti-ship missile

Atago Class Guided Missile Destroyer is also one of the biggest and finest destroyers in the world. It has a crew-carrying capacity of 300 marines. The Atago class is basically a much-improved version of the Kongo class. It has better radar, sensors, and weaponry. The X-factor of Atago Class Destroyer is its ability to use Aegis Weapon System (AWS). Currently, there are two ships of this class i.e. Atago and Ashigara serving in the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force.

4. Type 052D Class Destroyer

• Country of Origin – China
• Manufacturer – Jiangnan Shipyard, Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company
• Operator – People’s Liberation Army Navy Surface Force
• Displacement – 7,500 tons (full load)
• Length – Initial variant: 157 m (515 ft), Extended flight deck variant: 161 m (528 ft)
• Speed – 30 knots (56 km/h)
• Range – 3,800 nautical miles or 7,037 kilometers at a speed of 18 knots
• Anti-Air Missiles – HHQ-9 SAM, HQ-10 short-range SAM
• Anti- Ship Missiles – YJ-18 SSM

Type 052D is the best destroyer of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy Surface Force. Equipped with active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar and state-of-the-art weaponry this Type 052D is can be used for all kinds of missions. That’s why many observers call this ship China’s first dedicated multi-role destroyer. According to Chinese media, Type O52 D destroyer is contemporary to the most advanced destroyers of the US Navy. The Chinese Navy is using this destroyer in numbers. Currently, they have 13 destroyers of Type 052D class and 5 destroyers of Type 052DL class. The presence of such a deadly destroyer in number makes the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy Surface Force a formidable Naval fleet.

3. Kolkata Class Destroyer

• Country of Origin – India
• Manufacturer – Mazagon Dock Limited
• Operator – Indian Navy
• Displacement – 7,500 t (7,400 long tons; 8,300 short tons) full load
• Length – 163 m (534 ft 9 in)
• Speed – 30 knots (56 km/h)
• Range – 8,000 nmi (15,000 km) at 18 kn (33 km/h)
• Anti-Air Missiles – 32 Barack 8 Missiles
• Anti- Ship Missiles – 16 BrahMos Missiles

Some might argue about the position of Kolkata Class Destroyer in our list of top 10 best destroyers in the world. But, the fact is that this destroyer has some x-factor that makes it special. For example – it can Brahmos missile system which is currently the fastest cruise missile in the world. BrahMos can be used for both Ant-ship and land-attack missions from Kolkata Class Destroyer. Apart from this, the ship is also equipped with a Barak 8 missile system which is one of the most advanced Air Defence systems in the world. Kolkata Class is the advanced version of previous Delhi Class destroyers with more than 2000 changes. The destroyer can also carry two HAL Dhruv or Sea King Helicopters

2. Sejong the Great Class Destroyer

• Country of Origin – South Korea
• Manufacturer – Hyundai Heavy Industries, Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering
• Operator – Republic of Korea Navy
• Displacement – 8,500 tons standard displacement, 11,000 tons full load
• Length – 166 m (544 ft 7 in)
• Speed – exceeds 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph)
• Range – 5,500 nmi (10,200 km; 6,300 mi)
• Anti-Air Missiles – RAM Block 1 CIWS
• Anti- Ship Missiles – SSM-700K Haeseong

This class of destroyers is also known as KDX-III. This ship is named after Sejong the Great who is the 4th king of Joseon Dynasty of Korea. The size of this destroyer is huge and it can carry 2 Super Lynx or SH-60 Seahawk helicopters. You can get an idea of how deadly this destroyer is by knowing the fact that it carries 32 more missiles than  Arleigh Burke-class destroyers or Atago-class destroyers. This destroyed is designed categorically to carry the Aegis Combat System. Currently, the Republic of Korea Navy operates three destroyers of this class i.e. ROKS Sejong the Great, ROKS Yulgok Yi I, and ROKS Seoae Ryu Seong-ryong.

1. Arleigh Burke Class (Flight III)

• Country of Origin – United States of America
• Manufacturer – Ingalls Shipbuilding, Bath Iron Works
• Operator – United States Navy
• Displacement – Flight III: 9,500 long tons (9,700 t)
• Length – 509 ft (155 m)
• Speed – 30 kn (56 km/h; 35 mph)
• Range – 4,400 nmi (8,100 km) at 20 kn
• Anti-Air Missiles – RIM-66M Surface-to-Air Missile with an ASuW mode
• Anti- Ship Missiles – Mk. 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS)

This class of ship is named after  Admiral Arleigh Burke, an American destroyer officer in World War II. These are multi-functional destroyers from the United States of America tops our list of the best Destroyers in the world. The reason behind this is that these destroyers are equally good in Surface to air, surface to surface and surface to land missions. Armored by Tomahawk missiles, Arleigh Burke class ship is used by the US Navy in many missions. Apart from this, the United States is constantly enhancing these destroyers with even better sensors, radars, and missiles making them even more deadly.

Note – Some NATO navies like French, Canadian, German, Spanish and Dutch use the term “Frigates” for their Destroyers. So, you should not get confused.